Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Currently Watching - White Christmas
every Christmas Eve for the past 25 years...possibly more. It always puts me in the perfect mood for the holiday and makes me feel like I am at home no matter where I am. Friday, December 24, 2010
Currently Watching - The Bishops Wife
. This is another one one of my favorite holiday movies and I like to watch it every year. Don't miss this movie! (and no...that terrible remake with Whitney is not a good substitute.)Bishop Henry Brougham (David Niven) prays for divine guidance with the troubled building of a new cathedral. His plea is seemingly answered by a suave angel named Dudley (Cary Grant), who reveals his identity initially only to the clergyman.
However, Dudley's mission isn't to help with the construction of the cathedral. He is there as a guide to Henry and the people around him. Henry has become obsessed with the building to the detriment of his duties and marriage to his neglected, unhappy wife, Julia (Loretta Young). Everyone, except for Henry, is charmed by the newcomer, even the non-religious Professor Wutheridge (Monty Woolley). Dudley finally and easily persuades the wealthy parishioners, particularly Mrs. Hamilton (Gladys Cooper), to contribute the needed funds, but not to build the cathedral. He helps Mrs. Hamilton decide to give her money to feed and clothe the needy—much to Henry's chagrin. He also redecorates the Broghams' Christmas tree in two seconds, saves an old church by restoring interest in the boys' choir, and arranges for the typewriter to automatically type Henry's new sermon - which Dudley dictates without Henry's knowledge.
When Dudley spends time cheering up Julia, there is an unexpected development: Dudley finds himself strongly attracted to her. Sensing this, Henry becomes jealous and anxious for his unwelcome guest to finish and depart. Eventually, he stands up to the angel. With his mission completed and knowing that Julia loves her husband, Dudley leaves, promising never to return. All memory of him is erased, and on Christmas Eve at midnight, Henry delivers the sermon which he now believes he alone has written.
My Favourite Time of Year - The Florin Street Band (Christmas 2010)
A Shelter Dog's Christmas Poem - PawsitivelyTexas.com
’Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town, every shelter is full — we are lost, but not found.
Our numbers are hung on our kennels so bare, we hope every minute that someone will care.
They’ll come to adopt us and give us the call,“Come here, Max and Sparkie — come fetch your new ball!”
But now we sit here and think of the dayswe were treated so fondly — we had cute, baby ways.
Once we were little, then we grew and we grew. Now we’re no longer young and we’re no longer new.
So out the back door we were thrown like the trash.They reacted so quickly — why were they so rash?
We “jump on the children,” “don’t come when they call,”we “bark when they leave us,” “climb over the wall.”
We should have been neutered, we should have been spayed, now we suffer the consequence of the errors 'they' made.
If only they’d trained us, if only we knew, we’d have done what they asked us and worshiped them, too.
We were left in the backyard, or worse, let to roam. Now we’re tired and lonely and out of a home.
They dropped us off here and they kissed us goodbye. “Maybe someone else will give you a try.”
So now here we are, all confused and alone in a shelter with others who long for a home.
The kind workers come through with a meal and a pat, with so many to care for, they can’t stay to chat.
They move to the next kennel, giving each of us cheer … we know that they wonder how long we’ll be here.
We lay down to sleep and sweet dreams fill our heads of a home filled with love and our own cozy beds.
Then we wake to see sad eyes, brimming with tears – our friends filled with emptiness, worry, and fear.
If you can’t adopt us and there’s no room at the inn – could you help with the bills and fill our food bin?
We count on your kindness each day of the year – can you give more than hope to everyone here?
Please make a donation to pay for the heat … and help get us something special to eat.
The shelter that cares for us wants us to live, and more of us will, if more people will give.
– Author Unknown
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
STEVE HAYES: Tired Old Queen at the Movies - #63
Steve has made a great choice for some must see movies for the holiday season.
All That Heaven Allows and Far From Heaven. Two movies that I love and have always meant to view back to back. Who wants to have a heaven double feature?
All That Heaven Allows and Far From Heaven. Two movies that I love and have always meant to view back to back. Who wants to have a heaven double feature?
Cool (cold) Photo
This image made available by the University of Dundee shows a satellite view of a snow covered United Kingdom taken from a NASA satellite named Terra, Monday December 20. (AP Photo/NEODAAS/University of Dundee)
View more amazing photos here
View more amazing photos here
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Great Shopping Awaits in Dallas
Just saw this on the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau site.
Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau | GLBT Community in Dallas
Forbes recently released their list of America’s 25 best cities for shopping. Houston nabbed the top prize as Dallas followed second. While many continue to wonder about how our friends to the south rank first, we thought we’d tell you a little about the Dallas shopping scene.
“Dallas offers the best shopping in the Southwest,” said Phillip Jones, president and CEO of the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau. “In addition to seemingly endless shopping opportunities, Dallas visitors discover a city with vibrant entertainment districts, a leading arts district, a thriving culinary scene and countless luxury accommodations.”
Dallas’ flagship gayborhood, Oak Lawn, features shops and boutiques that offer quality services and unique fashions. Oak Lawn stores contain plentiful clothing, accessories and footwear options. Also tucked away in the neighborhood are many vintage thrift shops that offer men and women one-of-a-kind fashions at affordable prices.
Dallas is also home to many “firsts” in stores and shopping destinations. The flagship location of the internationally recognized specialty department store, Neiman Marcus, is located in the heart of Downtown. Now a state historic landmark, the original Neiman Marcus location continues to offer limited edition merchandise and superior customer service along with amazing window and store displays.
Historically noted as the first planned shopping center in America, Highland Park Village boasts a variety of retail and service stores, restaurants and the first luxury, suburban movie theater in Texas. For some of the best in unique fashion, Highland Park Village features upscale boutique shops such as Chanel, Ralph Lauren and Jimmy Choo.
Modeled after the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Italy, Galleria Dallas is a multi-level shopping mall, featuring the Westin Galleria hotel, restaurants and more than 200 retail stores and specialty shops. Situated in the center of this newly renovated venue is a large ice skating rink that is open year-round.
When NorthPark Center opened in 1965, it was the largest climate-controlled retail establishment in the world. Today, a stroll through more than 2.3 million square feet of retail space will reveal works of art from original paintings to 12-ton sculptures. From an AMC movie theater with stadium seating to shopping at Barneys New York and Macy’s, the entire complex surrounds CenterPark, a 1.4-acre landscaped garden. NorthPark also attracts thousands of fashionistas to its semi-annual fashion event, Fashion at the Park, featuring fashions from internationally-acclaimed designers. NorthPark is also the largest shopping mall in North Texas and the second largest in the state.
Mockingbird Station sits a short DART Light Rail ride away from NorthPark Center. Here, stroll through shops carrying the latest in fashion and decorating trends at Gap, American Outfitters and West Elm. Grab a bite to eat from popular Texas-born cafés and restaurants such as Café Express and the Margarita Ranch, or enjoy great films at the Angelika Film Center.
West Village is an essential part of the trendy Uptown neighborhood of Dallas. With residences; a grocery and drug store; bars; movie theater; bookstore; and clothing and other retail stores, it’s a perfect spot to relax in a ravishing environment. After shopping, enjoy the Tex-Mex cuisine of Mi Cocina or catch an independent film at The Magnolia Theater.
The Bishop Arts District is one of Dallas’ best kept secrets. Serving as a second great gayborhood, shoppers discover fine art galleries, relax with a massage, buy interesting knickknacks, and satisfy taste buds in this unique area located just minutes west of Downtown.
North Texas continues to attract new retailers.
H&M recently announced their entrance to the Texas market with a new storefront at NorthPark. While locals anxiously await the opening of the new megastore, they can catch a glimpse with their preview store that recently opened.
Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau | GLBT Community in Dallas
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